The signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation can be vague and cause some people to think they’re just out of shape or getting older. But atrial fibrillation, or “a-fib,” shouldn’t be ignored. An irregular, often rapid, heartbeat due to a-fib increases risk of stroke, heart failure and other cardiac problems.
In this Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast, cardiologist and Mayo Clinic Health Letter editorial board member Dr. Christopher DeSimone explains what happens to the heart during a-fib, describing the chambers of the heart like a two-story house. Dr. DeSimone, who specializes in cardiac electrophysiology, also describes the signs and symptoms of a-fib, how it’s diagnosed and explains why treatment is so important to quality.
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